I would take a stack of magazine pictures with me on the consult. Before I handed them the stack I would tell them that I wanted them to just glance at the images on each page. I wanted them to go with their immediate reaction of LIKE or DIS-LIKE.

In my years of doing this I found that people were pretty quick at making a Dis-like pile, but the Like pile came a bit harder to them. I had to reassure them that there were no right, or wrong answers here, only their own personal taste would matter in the decisions.

I found this exercise very helpful in working with the client and also in guiding them. It also gave the client a better insight to what was truly in their hearts, not just what they thought they wanted because of the latest trend, or what they saw in a friends home.

If you are being honest with your pinning you will see a pattern of what you truly love. You can even tell by how you categorize your boards. Elements that you are interested in, and want in your life will most likely be on your pinboards.

I have a 32 oz. spray bottle that I use, so I add 1/8 cup of fabric softener, then I dissolve 1/8 cup baking soda in hot water. Pour in the bottle after it dissolves, add softener, and fill up with water. Voila!! Your own personal fragrance of Febreze for pennies on the dollar. I like that!!

I always am looking for ways to be more green, and use what I have. I thought this was a great idea for my kiddos snack foods. I know they would love to go to the pantry, and shake out a handful to snack on! No cost remedy! These would be good to take in the car for trips also!

I love, love this idea. Take a black and white picture of each home you live in, and number them, add the address, and you have framed a memory. Brilliant idea, and what a fun keepsake as the years pass, it will be fun to remember when….!

Friday, February 24, 2012

Have you ever stopped to think about the elements you love. Do you have those elements in your home?

When I was consulting one of the techniques I used to get a better idea of what the client truly loved was to have them pull together 5-7 items that they had for more than 3-5 years that they truly loved. It could be clothing, linens, furniture, textiles, just about any thing as long as they truly loved it, and had it for more than 3-5 years years.

The reason for doing this technique is we can all talk ourselves into liking the newest trend on the block, but if it is not a true love we will tire of it within a two year period, and move onto something else. That is why I use the timeline of 3-5 years as part of the criteria.

Once the client has pulled together their items in what I like to call an informative vignette, I would then look at them, and I would study, style, texture, color and scale. This one vignette would help give me a direction on how to guide them.

This can also be a fun exercise to do for yourself just to make sure you are making choices from your heart, and not just your eyes!!

Over the years I have honed in on my decorating style and have a list of elements that I need to have in my home to make it comfortable for me.

I think this can prove to be a very important, and helpful exercise to help you really hone in on what you should have in your home to make it your very own personal style.

When I am looking on Pinterest I often will look at a few boards of a pinner to get an idea of what they truly love.

I must admit some people are all over the map, there really is no consistency in what they are pinning.

Then there are other pinners that you can immmediately peg their style, they are very consistent.

When you look at your own boards, if you pin, do you see a consistent pattern?

I do a lot of pinning for my blog, but if you take a look at my boards I do believe you will see a pattern in what I truly love.

What elements do you KNOW that you have to have in your own homes?

“Enjoy the Process!” Of:

Making a vignette with your very favorite elements!!

BTW: Don’t forget today is the last day to sign up for the Spring dress giveaway. Go to the top of my sidebar and click on the image to join in on the giveaway! Good luck to all of you who have entered!! I will be announcing the winner on Monday!